Can anyone give me any idea of what’s involved in the 1st stage interview at tesco please, any help appreciated 
As a Tesco driver I can answer this one, Your interview will be conducted by a Transport Team Manager if there is to be a large intake there may be a initial group interview held by several managers and then one to one’s, a few common sense questions nothing to worry about and nobody trying to catch you out. You say “1st stage” of the interview everything was done on my first visit.
My interview lasted about 20 minutes, then you will be asked to provide a urine specimen where any recreational drugs and alcohol will show up, you also have to take a D.S.A theory test and score above 85%.
You will then have an assessment drive where you will couple up to a trailer(stop short of the trailer get out and check the 5th wheel height and adjust accordingly) do a couple of reversing exercises (on to bays in the depot) and 20-30 minutes on the road 2 hands on the wheel and plenty of mirrors before you move off and plenty during the drive.
I can’t say if the above applies exactly to the depot you are applying to as all depots vary but the major points above will apply to all depots. I was offered the job on the day some depots contact you up to 10 days after the interview.
The job is worth having good pay good benefits and steady regular employment without doing silly hours,good luck.
Thanks Mike, great info. I had a call from the new Reading DC today and the woman I spoke to was a bit confusing, she said I’ve been invited for a 1st stage interview and if all went fine with I’d be invited for a 2nd interview where I’d need work clothes for an assessment, I’m unsure if she meant that would be the same day, going by what you say, it could well be the same day, I’ll tak that stuff with me in the car on the day.
They sound decent enough to work for and offer a decent package, I’ve been doing agency work for the last 3 years, had enough of it now, want some job security and the hours at tesco are very attractive, 20 less per week than I’m doing now.
No probs, as I said all depots vary in there methods.
As the place is new the T&C’s will be different to other comparable depot’s what tends to happen is a steady improvement year on year pay increases by roughly 2.5% a year and the union negotiates for other things like overtime payments payments for bank holidays extra lieu days ETC.
As Reading is an ambient depot you don’t have to faff around with cages of cardboard and plastic and produce trays and the start times will be a bit more sensible.
Lots of drivers don’t like the Iso Trak and everything you do being monitored, once you get the hang of all the health and safety rules and regs the job’s stress free and fairly straightforward all the kit is modern and well maintained and cutting corners and tearing around is a big no no, more of a hobby than a job.
Mike, as you drive for tesco i wonder if you could answer my question ?
I passed a tesco assesment approx 15 months ago and was issued with the so called “tesco passport”
Do you know how long this is valid for as it only ststews the start date on the card but no expiry date !!
I have not driven for tesco since this was issued and i am wondering if i could drive via adr network for tesco .
Thnks mick
welshlad:
Mike, as you drive for tesco i wonder if you could answer my question ?I passed a tesco assesment approx 15 months ago and was issued with the so called “tesco passport”
Do you know how long this is valid for as it only ststews the start date on the card but no expiry date !!I have not driven for tesco since this was issued and i am wondering if i could drive via adr network for tesco .
Thnks mick
Can’t answer that one sorry, little has changed since you were given the card I can’t see it being a problem give ADR a ring they will know.
Must be pretty desperate to want to work for such an outfit fella, why not hang fire let others jump in first then look to fill the vacant posts they’ll have left…!?
I had a Agency Driver Assessment with Tesco Livingstone a while back before I got out in the yard I had to sit DSA theory test which unfortunately I failed, think I got 83%. Got sent home after that as you need to pass theory before they will take you out paid for the shift so wasn’t all bad. good luck 
Pimpdaddy:
Must be pretty desperate to want to work for such an outfit fella, why not hang fire let others jump in first then look to fill the vacant posts they’ll have left…!?
The outfit lets them get away with murder,that’s why they want a job working for them,I mean they think loading a few cages of rubbish is too be avoided ,the store puts it on tail lift,you push a button to lift tail lift,then wheel it down trailer ,what a nightmare that is,best stick to ambient ,you really don’t know whether to 
or 
with that lot,wouldn’t last 10 mins in the real world.god help us.
Why would you want to work in ‘the real world’ when you could be getting paid usually more with good benefits and t&cs for less hours and an easier stress free job, casually coasting along at 40mph not being rushed then getting home for your tea and soaps.
Trolley dollying for the likes of tesco is the way forward. Dont understand why drivers are ridiculed for doing it.
rob22888:
Trolley dollying for the likes of tesco is the way forward. Dont understand why drivers are ridiculed for doing it.
Because some people seem to think chasing around breaking the speed limit, doing 15 hour days, maxing your driving to 10 hours, sleeping in a tin box to make up the wage paid at minimum rate is the way forward and a ‘proper’ driving job.
Pimpdaddy:
Must be pretty desperate to want to work for such an outfit fella, why not hang fire let others jump in first then look to fill the vacant posts they’ll have left…!?
I’m not desperate at all mate, just had enough of being an agency driver and the ■■■■ that comes with it. I can earn more working for tesco for less hours, seems a no brainer to me.
Who can ask for a much easier day than pushing 50 cages off a trailer twice a day.
Seany:
rob22888:
Trolley dollying for the likes of tesco is the way forward. Dont understand why drivers are ridiculed for doing it.Because some people seem to think chasing around breaking the speed limit, doing 15 hour days, maxing your driving to 10 hours, sleeping in a tin box to make up the wage paid at minimum rate is the way forward and a ‘proper’ driving job.
In a nutshell, after 24 years as a driver I have been there and done it, only an idiot would pass it up.
My only regret is I didn’t get on with them sooner 30 years paying in to the pension you could retire on more money than these so called “drivers” earn, and it which point did I say it was “hard”.
karl67:
Who can ask for a much easier day than pushing 50 cages off a trailer twice a day.
i can, some if not most drivers nowadays don’t even touch the load, that’s someone else’s job…
rob22888:
Why would you want to work in ‘the real world’ when you could be getting paid usually more with good benefits and t&cs for less hours and an easier stress free job, casually coasting along at 40mph not being rushed then getting home for your tea and soaps.Trolley dollying for the likes of tesco is the way forward. Dont understand why drivers are ridiculed for doing it.
Thats fair enough while it lasts ? The problem is when the likes of Stobarts take over !!!
Pimpdaddy:
karl67:
Who can ask for a much easier day than pushing 50 cages off a trailer twice a day.i can, some if not most drivers nowadays don’t even touch the load, that’s someone else’s job…
Tesco it your job.
Sainsburys unload for you.
If your going to Reading its a theory test first, if you pass that then its.down to the warehouse to put a few cages on a trailer(takes longer to walk through the warehouse!) Then they will invite you back for an.assesment then an interview. Got mine Monday will let.you know what to expect. Best of luck mate!
karl67:
Pimpdaddy:
karl67:
Who can ask for a much easier day than pushing 50 cages off a trailer twice a day.i can, some if not most drivers nowadays don’t even touch the load, that’s someone else’s job…
Tesco it your job.
Sainsburys unload for you.
Not if you’re on Sainsburys Frozen,driver pushes cages onto the lift.Piece of pish.
At the other end of the spectrum, at COOP you do all the donkey work and it,s bloody hard graft some days. I gave up a job with Tesco at Avonmouth and would go back yesterday if I could.